Squaring off in Gaithersburg's mayoral race are a longtime city leader and newcomer to politics. In the month before the Nov. 3 election, they are laying out different visions and strategies to run the city.

Gaithersburg follows a council-manager form of municipal government, meaning the City Council appoints the city manager. The city manager oversees city operations and policy implementation, essentially acting as chief executive officer.

Gaithersburg's mayor and council are elected to staggered four-year terms and the mayor serves as council president. The mayor has no vote but has veto power.

Mayor Sidney A. Katz

Gaithersburg's incumbent served 20 years on Gaithersburg's City Council before becoming mayor 10 years ago. His peers appointed him mayor following the 1998 death of Mayor Ed Bohrer. Katz, 59, ran unopposed his last election.

"Obviously these are difficult times," he said. "Economic development is not a one-size-fits all and it needs to be constantly debated so we are aware of what is working and what is not."

During his service, he has helped in growing the city to nearly double its size, and push forward successful development of projects such as the Kentlands and Lakelands neighborhoods and the Rio at Washingtonian Center. He has also been a part of helping keep Gaithersburg debt-free for 45 years without raising the tax rate — a practice he believes the city should uphold.

Katz described his personal leadership style as that of a consensus-builder when guiding discussions. He pointed to years experience at the city dais and representing Gaithersburg in regional efforts such as the 2004 Montgomery County/Prince George's County Gang Prevention Task Force.

Generally speaking, Katz does not believe in using his veto powers, although he did threaten to veto the fiscal 2008 budget, a time he has described as his lowest time in the city.

As mayor, Katz said, he helped push the county school system in 2000 to lower its requirements for determining overcapacity. Nearly every school in Gaithersburg at the time had portables.

"I think we need to make certain that we have good employment centers so that residents that are here now…will have a good place to work and not have to drive so far to get there."

The city needs to make sure housing stock "is available for everyone" in any employment centers, he said. Katz believes the city needs "to remain flexible but not compromise on design and workmanship to move development projects forward in these tight economic times."

Katz owns and runs Wolfson's Department Store that sells uniforms and equipment in Olde Towne. He has helped operate the 90-year family store for more than 30 years.

Rich Koch

Rich Koch, 55, a 10-year Kentlands resident who has lived 25 years in Montgomery County is a certified public accountant and regional real estate developer who believes he will bring a new approach to running the city.

Koch has promised to put some of his current work and personal demands "on hold" the first year he is elected and dedicate himself to the part-time job fulltime, he said.

"It's a $12,000 per year job but I believe it requires a fulltime commitment the first year in order to position the city," Koch said. "There are just too many things that need to be fixed…My role as mayor is to fight for what I think is in the best interests of the city."

Concerns that the city is "sliding backwards" prompted him to run for office, he said, and he hopes to bring his accounting and 25-year career development experience to the table in tough economic times.

"My role is to fight for the best interests of the city," Koch said. "I believe one of my primary responsibilities is to promote the city and create jobs and opportunities for the city and I believe that is a role that I don't see happening."

He described his style as visionary and open-minded and named his campaign Better Gaithersburg. He wants "to grow the city economy using a broad economic development strategy that is not exclusively focused on existing approved real estate revenue development projects."

"The incumbent mayor and I are very different candidates," said Koch of his inaugural political bid. He would bring his experience designing and implementing complex multi-million dollar real estate development projects to jump start plans for empty parcels and vacancies, Koch said.

Koch said his economic development strategy includes terminating two stalled development contracts for city-owned properties in Olde Towne. The city could keep the land and run ground leases to get the projects going.

Koch has met with Montgomery County Council members to discuss ideas for minimizing traffic and other impacts of the Gaithersburg West Master Plan, he said.

He described himself as a "proactive…not reactive" and "participative leader" who would work with City Manager Angel Jones to improve efficiency and streamline response for city leaders' demands.

"I will actively participate in the leadership of the city including the creation and implementation of strategies and task," not delegate, he said.

If elected, Koch said, he would push for faster construction of Gaithersburg High School, a project that he called the best way to improve the 20877 ZIP code.

The state is evaluating the Corridor Cities Transitway alignment and whether it should run through the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center. Koch has questioned whether it should run down the Frederick Avenue Corridor, not around the city. The corridor is the city's main thoroughfare, the developer said.

City Council candidates Councilman Henry Marraffa Jr., Tom Rowse and Councilman Michael Sesma were profiled in the Sept. 23 Gazette. Read about them at www.gazette.net.